GMA Regional TV launches pioneering ‘unified newscast’ for Bicol region

MANILA, Philippines — The Kapuso network continues to intensify its #LocalNewsMatters campaign with the launch of GMA Regional TV’s flagship newscast spanning the Bicol region — Balitang Bicolandia.

Airing from Mondays to Fridays at 5 p.m. starting yesterday, Feb. 1, Balitang Bicolandia is the pioneering “unified” program offering news and information “produced by Bicolanos for the Bicolanos” and broadcasting simultaneously via local stations in Naga, Legazpi, Sorsogon, Daet, Catanduanes and Masbate.

“After almost two years of preparation, we are more than honored to launch GMA Regional TV Balitang Bicolandia,” said GMA Regional TV and Synergy first VP and head Oliver Victor Amoroso in an exclusive Zoom interview with The STAR.

It took them two years because “if you are producing a program such as a unified local newscast, it really takes a lot of time and effort to form a team.”

Balitang Bicolandia anchors (from left) Katherine, Rhayne and Jessie enjoying their new set at the GMA Bicol Station; and below, taking a ‘groufie’ with RTV boss Oliver.

Not to mention COVID happened, Amoroso noted. While the show was really intended for a February 2021 launch, it could have been fast-tracked if not for the challenges brought about by the pandemic. For the first time, preparations were mainly executed virtually. He, however, said, that “this is the right time and right timing to give Bicol their own newscast.”

To date, Balitang Bicolandia is the sixth flagship newscast from GMA Regional TV or RTV. Backed by experiences from previous launches, Amoroso said they made sure their programming offers the “right mix” of stories.

“Not just about calamities, but also amazing, ‘oragon’ stories. We’re innovating... We don’t want this to be one of those regional newscasts. We want to level up. We thoroughly studied the segments because we are so privileged to be given 35 minutes of airtime, five times a week.”

RTV also searched for the “right mix” of local personalities to be the “faces” of Balitang Bicolandia. After screenings and subsequent training, Rhayne Palino, Jessie Cruzat and Katherine Henry have been unveiled as anchors. They are joined by Naga-based correspondent Charmaine Ragiles and a wide network of stringers all over Bicol.

Palino has covered typhoons and other major calamities in Bicol for GMA Regional TV Weekend News, GMA RTV’s national newscast that recently received a Special Citation for Best News Program at the 42nd Catholic Mass Media Awards.

Cruzat, on the other hand, is a tri-media personality who began his career in broadcast journalism as a radio field news reporter and host in Bicol.

Beauty queen-turned-broadcast journalist Henry started out as a travel show host and TV segment producer. Hailing from Iriga City, the former Miss Bicolandia and Miss Kaogma is also a tourism advocate and a Marine reservist.

“We are really in the stage of looking for a new breed of broadcast journalists in the regions. Our anchors for Balitang Bicolandia, (their backgrounds are) very diverse. They best represent the diverse Bicolandia. They are the right fit for the job,” Amoroso said.

“And because our mantra is ‘Local News Matters,’ this newscast is not just for the local (audiences). They will also be seen on the national level because Balitang Bicolandia will air every Friday on GMA News TV. They will also be hosting one of our editions for the GMA Regional TV Weekend News on Saturdays. Balitang Bicolandia will also be shown on GMA News TV International. So the stories, aabot siya globally,” the GMA TV exec said.

Meanwhile, the anchors are happy and grateful for the new roles entrusted to them from RTV.

Taking on the anchoring duties for the first time, Palino said she’s drawing extensively from her learnings as a field reporter. “I’ve been covering local calamities and issues. I think that experience will really help me to better relate to other people, address their concerns and empathize with their experiences. They’re not just ‘subjects’ of our stories, but they also become part of our lives.”

She cited her coverage of the lahar slide in Guinobatan, Albay late last year, as a “life-changing” experience that exposed her to a community that lost homes and livelihoods to the tragedy. “Nakakabago po siya ng perspective mo sa buhay. You will be inspired more to be of service to others.”

As for Cruzat, who’s been a Kapuso since 2019 as a popular radio jock, “I’m thankful to the Kapuso for seeing my potential to be one of these wonderful people delivering the news in the local perspective. I’m very happy and excited because this is it, ito na yung hinihintay ng mga Bicolano. Matagal na nilang hinihintay — what’s happening around us, what do we need to know, what are the stories that can change our lives? And we can’t wait for that moment to happen.”

The anchors stressed that Balitang Bicolandia will be a platform for stories that go beyond the “usual” coverage. They readily admitted that news coming out of Bicol is mainly about natural calamities that frequent the region due to its geographical location.

Henry said, “What we can offer with Balitang Bicolandia is more than that. Hindi lang yun ang pwede i-focus sa amin. We also have stories of hope, about food... and hindi lang Mayon Volcano ang maganda sa Bicol, there are many others. Actually, there are areas here in Bicol that have never been featured on TV so I’m very thankful that we have Balitang Bicolandia as avenue para makita yun ng lahat ng Bicolano — not just in Bicol but wherever they are in the world.”

This is just the opening salvo of GMA Regional TV for 2021.

Amoroso said, “Given that we are still in this global pandemic, we are really studying the kind of projects that GMA network will embark on this 2021. But I’ve also been given the go-signal to say this — that we are launching GMA Zamboanga, a new station, mid-year. We already have a very strong newscast, the unified One Mindanao, but we will include GMA Zamboanga as one of the main hubs for Mindanao, to cater to the Zamboanga peninsula and other neighboring provinces (craving for local news).”

This year, GMA RTV will also strengthen its General Santos station as part of the expansion of One Mindanao. The regional TV arm will also launch GMA Batangas, their first Southern Tagalog newscast, “to cover Calabarzon areas.”

“We have more plans that’s why this will be a very busy 2021,” Amoroso said.